A youth club set up by Pontardawe Police Community Support Officer Mark Jones welcomed some special guests during an open evening.
Swansea City football stars Andrea Orlandi and Scott Donnelly joined town mayor Jean Bowen, senior police officers and Neath Port Talbot Youth Service workers at the event at Ponty Youth Club.
The setting up of the club has contributed to a dramatic reduction in the amount of anti-social behaviour in the Pontardawe area. PCSO Jones teamed up with community partners to set up the youth club and it has been a huge success with over 120 members aged between 11 and 16.
It was set up in April and provides a number of activities for the young people of Pontardawe, including pool, darts, music, computer sessions, and a tuck shop.
The project is certainly having a positive impact, with anti-social behaviour incidents between May and July dropping by 36%, compared to the same period in 2009.
PCSO Mark Jones said: “I’m extremely proud of our community and the youth club has only been possible with the continued help and support of partner organisations and local businesses. It provides the youngsters with activities and also gives them opportunities to make new friends and interact with the police team in a fun way.
“I am very grateful to Swansea City for sending two of their players to the open evening which was a great success and really enjoyed by all the youngsters who were in attendance.”
PCSO Jones added: “The Pontardawe Neighbourhood Policing Team is always looking for new ways to engage young people and the members of the youth club have been at the forefront of its development.”
